Analysis of the impact of aquaculture farms on regional coastline evolution based on PIE Engine: A case study of Dafeng, Jiangsu

Human activities have had a significant impact on the coastline. Marine aquaculture represents a vital agricultural activity in coastal regions, not only fostering local economic development but also influencing the natural environment and the evolution of the coastline. The emergence of the Pixel Information Expert (PIE) engine has created new opportunities for studying the impact of human activities on coastal environments. This study centers on Dafeng, Jiangsu, utilizing the precise coastline extraction capabilities of PIE and the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) to analyze the long-term evolution of the coastline during the past three decades and investigate the impact of aquaculture farms on the coastline. The primary analysis entails a multi-year evaluation of the coastline using DSAS. From 1985 to 2020, the overall trend of the Dafeng coastline shows expansion towards the sea, with an average coastal displacement of around 4.38 km. The coastal areas of Dafeng District encompass two aquaculture zones situated in the northern and southern parts of Dafeng Port, respectively, which were analyzed individually. From 1985 to 2020, the northern aquaculture zone exhibited seaward expansion, with a maximum growth of around 15.29 kilometers. Similarly, the southern aquaculture zone also underwent seaward expansion, with an increase of around 15.41 kilometers (NSM) during the same period. Over the past three decades, the coastline of Dafeng in Jiangsu Province has experienced overall expansion. However, in the aquaculture areas, the coastline continues its seaward expansion, with a maximum expansion of 15 kilometers. These findings highlight the influence of aquaculture development on the seaward expansion of the coastline, making it a significant factor in shaping the natural landscape through human activities.